Andrej, Jessica, Kaiya and Tobi

Friday, Tobi and I met Andrej at our doctor's office for his two week check-up. It is so hard to believe it has only been two weeks since little Tobs joined us. It really seems like much longer. I was slightly nervous about the appointment because when we took Kaiya in for her two week appointment, she freaked out and wanted to nurse the entire time. She spit-up and pooped and we ended up changing her clothes several times. However, Tobi was a different story. He slept the entire time. He slept through the weighing and measuring and poking and prodding and didn't really open his eyes until Dr. B. brought out the cold stethoscope. He got a really good report, minus the small amount of thrush she noticed in his mouth. We both left with prescriptions, and other than that, our Tobi is a healthy growing baby boy.

I couldn't wait to see how much weight Tobi had gained because he is quite the little piggy. He wants to eat every two hours. When we left the hospital Tobi weighed seven pounds (down six ounces from his birth weight), and in two weeks gained one pound and seven ounces! Here are his two weeks stats:

• Weight: 8 lbs, 7 oz
• Height: 20.5 (same as birth, but I really think he has grown)
• Head: 36 cm

Tobi continues to be such a sweet baby. So far he seems to be quite content and really doesn't cry unless he is hungry or uncomfortable. His umbilical cord stump fell off on Thursday, so Friday before his doctor's appointment he got his first tub bath. He seemed to really like it, a lot more than Kaiya liked her first bath. However, exactly like Kaiya, Tobi has proven himself to be quite the spitter. Kaiya has been the best big sis in this area as she loves to fetch burp clothes for us. Overall, the last two weeks have been great and we are so blessed to have this little man in our lives.

As for the rest of us…

Kaiya absolutely adores Tobi. She wants to kiss him and give him hugs, and constantly rattles off what he is doing. Here are a few phrases we have heard from her regarding Tobi lately:

• "Baby Tobi wake up!"
• "Baby Tobi seeping again."
• "Baby Tobi crying. Get Baby Tobi out criby!"
• "Baby Tobi trying to get Kaiya." (As his little hand, which he doesn't have much control over, touches her.)
• "Mama, put some desin (Desitin - diaper rash cream) on baby Tobi boot (booty - Kaiya's word for butt)."

However, as much as Kaiya loves Tobi, she is still struggling with all the changes. She is incredibly clingy to me and Andrej and seems to be so afraid that we are going to leave her. Every time one of my friends comes to visit she starts anxiously asking, "Mama go bye-bye?" She wants Andrej or me to do everything for her including meals, diaper changes, baths and bedtime. My mom has to really distract her to be able to care for her. She has also become extremely whiny and disobedient. She has spent more time in timeouts in the last two weeks than in her entire life. Andrej has a lot more compassion for her than I do, and I'm thankful for that. My lack of sleep has my tolerance level low. However, we are all trying so hard to make her feel secure and loved, and hopefully she will adjust soon.

Andrej was able to spend Tobi's first week at home with us, which was really great. None of us were ready for him to go back to work, especially Kaiya. On his last day at home, May 31, we celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. It wasn't like celebrating our first in Chicago, or second in Traverse City, or third in SC, but it was memorable all the same.

I am surprisingly doing really well. My healing went a lot faster this time and other than being really tired, I feel great. The newborn stage is definitely a lot easier the second time around and I'm glad that I got another shot at it. I was so nervous and emotional with Kaiya that I had a hard time relaxing and just enjoying her. This time I have a much better perspective in knowing that the long nights and around the clock feedings won't last forever.

It also has helped tons having all the extra hands. My mom has been here for the last two weeks and will be until Saturday. My dad was here for the first ten days then had to head home for work. He is flying back on Thursday and will then drive home with my mom on Saturday. They have both been such a HUGE help with Kaiya and keeping us all fed, in clean clothes and living in a clean house. It all may very well fall apart after Saturday, but at least there will be sanity until then. Thanks so much Mom and Dad!!!